For a self-professed naval power, the U.K. has seen surprisingly large gaps develop in its maritime surveillance capability in recent years, a trend the Defense Ministry is setting out to reverse. Both unmanned and manned aircraft options are being considered to address the shortfall, but even if most projects pass muster—and funding can be secured in a period of budget austerity—the ability to monitor and control sea-lanes from the air will likely not be fully restored until the end of the decade ...